My kids and husband love 💚 rice. One of their ultimate go-to meals was tomato juice with rice, which personally, wasn’t for me. They’d add butter, salt and pepper and go through a huge pan of it. I can’t complain since I was off the hook from cooking. However, I didn’t feel that combo had much nutrition, mainly protein. Later on, once we discovered the nutrition in hemp hearts, that was added to this recipe. Rice lovers power up your rice with a generous addition of hemp hearts.

When I say generous, I’m talking like 2/3 to 1 cup of hemp hearts for 2 cups worth of cooked rice. I’m not balking that rice has no nutrition. Half the world depends on rice. And tomato juice in this old family favorite is an excellent source of vitamin C and other good stuff. Point is, we can do better.

Don’t be shy. Add hemp hearts to your favorite rice dish once its cooked. You can simply add 2 to 3 tablespoons to a scoop of rice on your plate and you’ll power up your rice to superfood status.

Yes — nearly half the world’s population relies on rice as a staple food. 🌾

Here’s the short, no-nonsense truth:

• Over 3.5 billion people depend on rice as a primary calorie source.

• That’s especially true in Asia, where countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh consume the majority of the world’s rice.

• It’s also a key staple in parts of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Why is rice such a big deal?

• It’s cheap to grow, stores well, and fills bellies fast.

• Nutritionally, it provides carbs, some protein, and a small amount of vitamins/minerals.

• But… white rice alone isn’t exactly a nutrition superstar — it lacks fiber and can spike blood sugar.

So yes, rice feeds the world — but here’s the deal, this world’s staple food can become a superfood by adding hemp seeds to rice. Rice Lovers Power Up

Rice Lovers Power Up Your Rice with Hemp Hearts: Here’s Why

Hemp seeds are a powerhouse nutritional upgrade to plain rice, turning a simple side dish into a complete, plant-based meal. While rice delivers energy-rich carbohydrates, it’s low in protein and essential fatty acids — that’s where hemp seeds shine.

Hemp seeds include high-quality protein with all nine essential amino acids, plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for heart and brain health. Their nutrition also brings magnesium, iron, and zinc to the table, nutrients that rice alone can’t provide in meaningful amounts. Whether sprinkled over a rice bowl, stirred into a pilaf, or blended into a rice-based veggie burger, hemp seeds boost the flavor, texture, and nutrition — without overpowering the dish. It’s a simple, better option that makes your meal work harder for your health.

Rice Lovers Power Up Your Day with this Savory Hemp Heart Rice Recipe

Savory Hemp Heart Sticky Rice

Asian cuisine meets Southwest spice with a hint of lime juice and cilantro. Easy. Few ingredients. Can be served hot or cold as a healthy side dish for dinner. Take to a summer picnic for your next dish to pass.

Gluten Free | Protein | Nutrient Dense | Vegan Friendly

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Prep Time 16 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time 36 minutes mins

Servings: 8 to 10 people for 1/2 cup servings; (maked about 5 cups of cooked rice). If my grandson is eating with you, it's closer to 4 or 5 servings 🙂

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Japanese, Southwest

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 ½ cup Carlrose Rice Extra Fancy, BOTAN brand
• 2 ¼ cup water (you may need to add a bit more water while cooking rice)
• 1 tsp Real Salt
• 2 tbsp butter (for vegan friendly needs - use olive oil vs butter)
• 1 heaping tsp oregano
• ½ to 1 clove fresh garlic
• splash olive oil
• 10 oz can RO*TEL Mexican Style Lime and Cilantro Diced Tomatoes
• ⅔ to 1 cup hemp hearts by Better Option Foods

Equipment

• 3 to 4 qt sauce pan for rice
• 8" fry pan to toast garlic
• dish for serving

Method

 

1. Assemble ingredients on counter
   
2. Put rice and water in sauce pan.

   Soak rice in saucepan with water for 15 minutes before cooking
3. While rice is soaking: prepare garlic by pealing and slicing into slivers.

   Add splash of olive oil to frying pan. Warm over low heat for a few seconds.

   Add sliced up garlic to pan, over low heat, toast garlic until golden brown. Set aside.
   
4. Once rice has soaked:

   Add in salt, butter, and oregano - cover and place on stove top.

   Bring rice to low boil. Once boiling, reduce heat.

   Cook for 20 minutes. The water should all be absorbed. (During cooking: watch that the water does not run dry and scorch the pan. A rice cooker can be used to prepare the rice. Use 2 cup water if preparing in a rice cooker)
5. Once rice is cooked:

   Add toasted garlic. Stir in RO*TEL dice tomatoes with lime juice & cilantro; and hemp hearts. Stir together until well blended.

   Place is serving dish
   
6. Serve hot or chilled
7. makes about 5 cups of cooked rice (rice is sticky)
   
8. Enjoy

Notes

You will need Hemp Hearts from Better Option Foods to make this delicious sticky rice side dish.

Serving suggestions: pair with

• Hamburger and hot dogs at a picnic
• Baked or pan seared Chicken 
• Side dish with Tacos and Refried beans or other Mexican style dishes
• Great with smoked or baked salmon

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Rice Lovers Power Up These Favorites

I don’t have an affiliate association with these brand of rice, they’re just my favorite ones to make.  The Rice Select Royal Blend is at the top of my list. If sticky white rice is on the menu, Calrose Rice, BOTAN brand is our go-to. The less process rice is, the more nutrition and fiber.

Eating better is a journey. Feeling better is your reward.

Eat Better. Feel Better. You’re worth it!